Program Overview

Master of Laws

The Master of Laws (LLM) is a postgraduate degree offered by the University of Waikato, which can be completed in just one year. This qualification allows students to shape their studies with taught papers and research options that match their interests and career goals.

Points and Duration

• The total number of points required to gain this qualification is 120.
• The expected duration of full-time study is 1 year.

Locations

• The qualification is offered in Hamilton, Tauranga, and Online.
• Note that papers offered differ by location.

Area of Study

• The School of Law, Politics and Philosophy is the faculty or school under which this qualification can be studied.

Start Dates

• This qualification can be started in Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July).

Why Study the Master of Laws?

The Faculty of Law at the University of Waikato places a strong emphasis on the development of research skills. Classes are small and typically offered in seminar-style discussions, creating opportunities for students to share perspectives and discuss issues related to the topic. This approach helps improve communication skills and gain expert knowledge. It also provides opportunities for networking and renewing motivation and confidence, with a lot of one-on-one time with lecturing or supervising academic staff.

Career Opportunities

• Government Departments
• Law teaching and research
• Civil and public service and the judiciary
• Banking, financial services, and financial regulation
• International development organisations
• Non-governmental organisations such as human rights agencies
• Private legal practice
• Business

Degree Information

Entry Requirements

To be accepted into the LLM programme, students need to have:

• Completed an LLB or a combined Law degree at the University of Waikato with at least a 'B' grade point average or an equivalent qualification at another university; or
• Completed an LLB (Hons) at the University of Waikato with at least a 'B' grade point average or a combined Law degree at the University of Waikato or an equivalent qualification at another university; or
• Satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject at a level considered appropriate by the Academic Board. In exceptional circumstances, candidates who do not meet these requirements but have a proven record of academic merit and relevant experience may be accepted into the programme. Students whose first language is not English are required to provide satisfactory evidence of their English language proficiency, with an overall score of 6.5 (no band less than 6.0) in the IELTS or equivalent.

Fees and Scholarships

• Estimated fees for domestic students are $8,569 - $10,441 per year.
• Domestic tuition fees are approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
• Scholarships are available; visit the Scholarship finder for more information.

Graduate Outcomes

Graduates of the Master of Laws will be able to:

• Apply legal reasoning, research, and writing skills (including Te Ao Māori concepts) in a specialist area of law
• Demonstrate and critically apply advanced knowledge of law in a specialist area
• Communicate coherent and principled arguments for law reform

Master of Laws with Honours

The Honours Degree may be awarded with:

• First Class Honours
• Second Class Honours (first division)
• Second Class Honours (second division) To be eligible for the award of honours, students need to complete their LLM qualification within 12 months (if studying full-time) or not exceeding four calendar years (if studying part-time) and pass all their papers.

Graduate Study Options

• Master of Laws in Māori/Pacific and Indigenous Peoples' Law: 1 year, Hamilton
• Doctor of Philosophy (Law): 3 years, Hamilton, Tauranga
• Doctor of Laws: 1 year, Hamilton
• Master of Philosophy: 1-2 years, Hamilton, Tauranga
• Doctor of Philosophy: 3 years, Hamilton, Tauranga

Cultural Experience

The faculty members come from a wide range of nations and cultural backgrounds, creating a truly multicultural environment. This helps foster in students an increased awareness of global issues, exposes them to multiple historical and cultural perspectives, and offers insight into legal systems outside the jurisdiction of the Common Law.

Documents

For full requirements, see the Regulations for the Master of Laws. The Postgraduate Handbook is also available for reference.